Christmas in July...a sparkly, easy to do centerpiece.

It may be cooking outside, 107 here yesterday with the heat index.   But inside its cool and frosty!
I am joining Debbie @  Confessions of a Plate Addict and other bloggers for their Christmas in July party.

This is an easy to do centerpiece with a big bang for your money.
Start with a framed mirror that will fit your shape and size of table.  Check Goodwill or other second hand stores for some great buys.  I found mine at GW and only payed $2 for it.

I used a craft brush and craft paint in a silver metallic color.  A few coats and your ready to go!  

I gathered up some old jars and vases, all found around the house ( old pickle jars work great).

I cut some silver metallic material that I had in my fabric stash.  I used a fabric spray adhesive to attach. Doesn't need to be perfect to look good, just wrap and attach as best as possible.

Added some blue baubles found at discount store, 4/$1.

Add lots of silver, blue and sparkly ornaments or whatever color theme you desire.

Votive candles inside and out, light and enjoy!

All lit up for a festive holiday table!

Works during the daytime too.

Using my Blue hill Noritake china.

Snowflake glassware from the dollar tree.

Simple yet it makes a big impact.

It's a Christmas in July friends!

Today we are back into the heat zone after having a little reprieve from it yesterday.

I am not used to these hot, hot summers in Wisconsin.

We usually get a few really hot days into the 90s but this has gone on and on.

Cindy

Also joining the Christmas in July party @ Stone Gable.

A Birthday Outfit for Calista,blogger friends and summertime!

It's been a rather busy two weeks!  Nothing real big but a lot of little events here and there.  I have been busy working on a 1st birthday outfit for little Calista!
I can't be there for the big 1-0 but at least I will be there in spirit!

I bought the onsie and added the trim around the neckline and sewed on a one made out of felt!
I found directions and measurements for this easy to sew little skirt and I made the hat from a tutorial I found online!
All very simple and I only spent $7 for the onsie, $4 for the fabric and $1 for the flower to put on the hat.  
Not bad I think for a total of a little bit of time and $12.

Here's the B-Day girl to be!  When my son gets pics I will share them with you.

Met up with fellow blogger Keetha and her hubby Greg for supper recently!  They were heading up north for a two week vacation.  They only live an hour away from us and it's fun to get together with them. We always have a good time,  that Keetha is a hoot!

Hubby and I spent a night away recently.   We had breakfast at this cute little 1920's restored diner...so cute inside and out! 

When we came back home these guys were waiting for us inside our garage!!!  Not cute, not fun at all!  They had figured out how to get into our little cat door in the back.
Needless to say our little cat door is closed for now.

My grand-daughter Addison, (21 months) got to spend some time with her cousin Chloe (3) last week.  
Here they are hand in hand heading to story time at a local library.
I thought they looked so cute together!
It's major hot here still, high today of 99!
And I live in Wisconsin, where are summers are supposed to be wonderful!
I guess most of the country is still a baking away!
Have a great week friends,
Cindy

Small Bathroom Face-lift on a Budget

Hi friends.  Why does it seem like June and July fly by in a blink of an eye while Jan. and Feb. seem to just barely crawl.
Today I wanted to share with you our recent bathroom face-lift.  We have 2 bath's in our home, both on the small side and windowless too.  Above is a before pic.  When we moved in 5 years ago, we painted this bathroom, added a new shower curtain and changed out the light fixture.  I liked it but I wanted a change and some things, such as the faucet were in desperate need for a change.

Another before.  Notice ugly, ugly faucet and ugly off white vinyl floor which was in pretty bad shape.

And the after!   We painted the vanity an off white and added new knobs.  And I love my new floor!  Hubby laid this floor right over the old.  I love the look of the dark with the sun-kissed walls!  
The color of the walls isn't totally true in these pics.  It's a sun-kissed apricot and much softer.

I love my new faucet and shower curtain.

 Hubby painted the cupboard behind the door ( I store towels and toiletries here) and added new knobs.

The mirror/medicine chest got a new coat of paint.  Actually everything that was oak, including the towel rack got a fresh coat of paint.

New towel ring and towel.

This was actually very green I spray painted it a stone color with Rust-Oleum multicolor textured paint.  It still appears a bit green in this pics but it's really an off-white stone color.

 A better look at the floor.  It's a laminate we purchased at Home Depot and it's made by Hampton Bay the color is Blackened Maple.

I found the shower curtain online and on sale at Bed, Bath and Beyond.  I also had a free shipping offer too, so my cost really was just $19.95.

The faucet was our most expensive purchase but we were able to buy on sale for under $70. at a local big box store.

My farmhouse looking soap dish.  A recent purchase on our trip to Galena with Jane and Al.

 We purchased the knobs on sale as well.  They match the faucet and light fixture which I forgot to take a picture of.

Here's the run down and final cost.
One gallon of Sun-Kissed Apricot by Glidden for the walls:  $26
One gallon of off white paint store brand:  $15
My tip here is to buy really good paint.  Hubby had to do 3 coats with this store brand paint.  I suggested we buy another gallon but being the thrifty fellow that he is, he just kept a painting!
New shower curtain:  Bed, Bath and Beyond online: $19.95
Blackened Maple flooring:  $50
New bathroom faucet : $69
8 new knobs: $7
New towels and soap dish:  Towels TJ Maxx and Soap Dish in Galena.  $15 total
 Grand Total for our bathroom face-lift:  $202
Not too bad I think and I am totally happy with it right now.
Thanks for stopping by everyone, I am going to be making the rounds to visit soon.
But today is also my talented Hubby's birthday and I need to figure out how to make him a homemade Butterscotch pie and do a little babysitting as well.
Have a wonderful week!
Cindy


I am joining some fun blog parties.
Met. Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch.
Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life.
Tutorials and Tips Tuesday @ A to Z

Wow us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Tutorials, tips and Tidbits @ Stone Gable

Happy 4th of July and my patriotic pillow!

My grand-daughter Addison ready for a picnic and the 4th of July!
She turned 21 months yesterday and she lights up our lives.

I found her little dress at TJ Maxx.   I love the ladybug and the gingham checks.

I had some ladybug ribbon for her hair.

Contemplating her little flags.  And speaking of flags, I made a flag pillow the other day.

I saw them on blogs and etsy and thought they were so cute!  But they were selling for upwards of $58. so I made my own with scrap fabric and small amount of new, total cost for me $3.50.


It's hotter than heck here just like so much of the country.  Our high will be about 103 with a heat index of about 114.
Stay safe and cool if you can and have a blessed 4th of July!
Cindy